Chapter 21 #2
He'd known the one guy would probably be back, but he hadn't expected so many. What the hell had happened?
The first question that he finally understood told him the truth…
"Is it true that Wren stole the song?" a man shouted.
"Why did you take the blame?" a woman demanded.
The questions came fast and furiously, and the crowd was blocking their way into the courtyard and also out of the parking lot. He grabbed Kaia's hand, needing to hold her close. Her face was white, her eyes wide with shock. She'd finally gotten to see his present and possibly her future.
"Wren says you protected her for years—is that true?" the first reporter asked again.
More questions flew in his direction.
"Is Wren still using drugs? Do you?"
"Are you getting back together?"
"Do you forgive her?"
"Is this your new girlfriend?"
"How long have you been together? Is she the reason Wren is going out on her own?"
"What do you have to say?"
As a microphone was thrust toward Kaia, he immediately stepped in front of her, adrenaline surging hard through his system.
"Back up," he snapped.
The cameras kept flashing.
"What do you think about Wren's confession?" the nearest reporter asked, the balding man who'd been at the building earlier. "Did you break up because of her relapse? Do you still love her?"
Kaia tried to pull away, but he kept a tight grip on her hand.
If he said nothing, they would keep coming after him.
If he said too much, it would mean more headlines.
He had to make one statement, one brief statement.
"All I have to say is this." The group quieted, ready to jump and dissect his every word.
He gave them the only thing he was willing to give.
"I'm going to let Wren speak for herself. "
Questions exploded again. He turned toward the entrance to the courtyard, where the cavalry had suddenly arrived.
Josie marched out like an angry queen. Ben and Grayson were on either side of her.
Ben was ready to exercise both his big brother protectiveness and his experience as a cop, while Grayson exuded the powerful, intimidating glare of a business executive people didn't mess with.
"That's enough!" Ben barked. "Everyone back off."
"This is private property," Josie added.
"You're all trespassing," Grayson said. "Move to the sidewalk now." As the three moved forward, the crowd was pushed back, and he and Kaia ran past them into the courtyard.
Lexie met them just inside. "What's going on? Are you okay?"
"The media figured out where I was," he said, seeing more of the tenants coming out of their apartments. This group was quieter than the one outside, but he could see the questions looming.
"Who are you?" Lexie asked. "It's time for you to tell us the truth."
It was such a simple question, but the answer was anything but simple. And then Kaia pulled her hand out of his.
"You should tell them," she said. "I need to go."
Losing her hand sent a chill through his body. And watching her walk away made him feel like he might never be warm again.
As Kaia left, he faced his neighbors, which now included Josie, Ben, and Grayson who had come back into the courtyard. "My real name is Jason Barnes. I was in a band with Wren Carmichael called Blackbird."
"Oh, my God," Lexie said, clapping a hand to her mouth. "I've heard your music. I had no idea you were part of that."
"I was mostly in the background. Wren was the star."
"But Blackbird broke up," Lexie continued, trying to piece it all together.
"Why don't you let him tell the story?" Ben suggested.
"Sorry," Lexie said.
"Please don't be sorry. It's a long story.
Wren made some serious mistakes while dealing with substance abuse.
I took the blame for what she did, and now she's coming clean.
She's sober and healthy, and she wants to start over with a clean slate.
Apparently, she just did an interview about it, which is why the reporters are here.
I'm sure you can read her statement online.
I came here to escape the kind of madness that is out in the parking lot.
I used a different name, hoping no one would recognize me.
I thought it was possible to stay hidden, because Wren was the star of our group, and unless you were a super fan, you wouldn't know the faces of the people singing and playing behind her. "
"You wrote some of her songs," Emmalyn said, drawing his gaze to hers. "I love her music…your music."
"Thank you." He turned to Josie, who gave him a sympathetic smile. "And I'm grateful to Josie, for giving me this safe haven for the last few months."
"I know what it feels like when the sharks come after you," Josie said.
Her gaze turned to the group. "I think it's important that you all remember that Jax didn't lie to me.
I always knew who he was, and I was happy to help him protect his privacy.
I wanted him to have a chance to heal, and I think most of you have gotten to know him now.
I hope you'll make your judgments based on this man, not the one the press is trying to define. "
He had even more gratitude for her words.
He gave her a thankful smile, then turned back to the group.
"You all made me feel like the world was a safer, friendlier place, and I'm sorry I took so long to get to know you.
You're an impressive group, and even with my secrets, you still welcomed me.
" He felt a knot in his throat. "I appreciate that more than I can say, and I'm sorry for the disruption. "
"Don't worry about that," Josie interrupted with a dismissive wave of her hand. "And don't think you need to leave because the press is out there. This will all blow over, and they'll move on to the next story."
"Maybe not that quickly."
"None of us care about the reporters," Lexie added. "They're not going to bother us. Just you…and probably Kaia. I'm going to check on her."
As Lexie left, the group dispersed, but Ben lingered behind.
Seeing the concern on Kaia's brother's face made him square his shoulders. "You don't have to worry, Ben. I'm not going to push Kaia into anything."
"It wouldn't work if you tried. I've never known my sister to let anyone decide anything for her. She learned how to stand on her own two feet a long time ago."
"That's something I really like about her."
Ben gave him an assessing look. "I told you before I would stay out of your business, not because I trust you, but because I trust Kaia. That still stands. If you need my professional help with that group out there or anything else, let me know."
"That's generous."
"Well, you did bring Kaia all the way to the desert to see our father."
"Kaia said he's doing better."
"Yes. He just needs to stay on his medication.
He also needs to find activities to help his mood.
I spent some time with his neighbor before I left.
He had some ideas for how to get my father into more activities where he's living.
But he's so stubborn, I don't know if he'll do anything I suggest. Hopefully, his neighbor can make something happen. It's frustrating."
"It's difficult to watch people you care about disintegrating in front of you without trying to fix them."
"Is that what happened with you and your partner?"
"Yes. It took me a long time to learn that protecting her wasn't helping her." He paused, glancing across the courtyard at Kaia's closed door.
Ben followed his gaze. "Kaia is tough. Those people aren't going to run her off, unless she wants to back away. My advice, which is probably worth nothing," he added with a smile. "Give her some time. Let her come to you."
"That's the problem. I don't think she will."
"Well, then you'll have your answer."